The KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department has suspended two taxi associations operating between Johannesburg and Ladysmith in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands for six months.
This follows an alleged on-going feud between the Sizwe and Klipriver Taxi Associations which has claimed more than 60 lives since 2014.
Taxi owners, drivers, innocent passengers and other road users have been killed in the conflict.
Two months ago a taxi boss who was travelling with his driver, a daughter and three body guards were ambushed and shot dead in Ladysmith.
Their vehicle lost control and collided with a vehicle transporting teachers who were on their way to school, killing all six passengers.
A few weeks later, another taxi boss was shot dead at Newcastle which is believed to be related to the on-going feud.
These are just the recent incidents where lives were lost in the taxi industry in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands.
This prompted the provincial Transport MEC Mxolisi Kaunda to suspended the operations of these two associations for six months.
This at a time where many people will be travelling from Gauteng to KZN.
Kaunda says he had no choice but to save lives.
“Following incidents of violence related to the taxi industry in this area which has led to killing of scores of taxi operators, their family members and relatives as well as innocent citizens I have decided to call off operations by both Sizwe and Klipriver taxi associations.”
Kaunda says 41 taxi routes will be affected including the Ladysmith to Johannesburg route which is expected to be busy during this time of the year.
“SAPS shall fully investigate the cases. Rank security management system is to be introduced in Ladysmith which entails installations of cctv cameras and the appointment of a security company by the Alfred Duma Local Municipality to protect everybody within the rank facility.”
Santaco deputy chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Sifiso Mthethwa, says they fully support the decision to suspend the operation of the two associations.
“We support the department’s decisions and we believe that it will assist both parties to take a decision to go back to talks.”
Several meetings to try and resolve the conflict have been held but the feud continues.
Kaunda promised police visibility in all the routes for the safety of commuters and public transport drivers.
Commuters will have to find alternative transport between Johannesburg and Ladysmith.
